Al Ain duo believe in UAE World Cup bid

Matt Jones - Editor 09:07 14/10/2015
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  • Ismail Ahmed and Khalid Essa were present as Al Ain announced a partnership with Abu Dhabi Motors

    The UAE players will give “everything” to ensure the nation makes it into the next stage of Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, according to centre-back Ismail Ahmed.

    Mahdi Ali’s side suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in Jeddah last Thursday, a loss which leaves the UAE in second place in Group A – five points adrift of the Green Falcons.

    The winners of each of the eight groups in the second round will qualify for the third round, as well as the four best runners- up. And Ahmed still believes qualification is achievable.

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    “I think on this day we are not good, we did not play very well and we were second best, but this is football,” the 32-year-old said at the unveiling of Abu Dhabi Motors as Al Ain’s official automotive partner for the 2015-16 season.

    “I know it’s not an easy game because we play outside of home against Saudi Arabia. Sometimes we are not on a good day and now we will prepare for the next games against Timor-Leste and Malaysia and I hope we will give better than before.

    “We need to work very hard to give our best and give confidence for the fans to come back to support us. We will promise to give them everything and to give them something back at home.”

    With the game at King Abdullah Sports Complex Stadium heading for a draw after Mohammad Al Sahlawi had earlier qualised following Ahmed Khalil’s opener for the UAE, the Whites’ creative spark Omar Abdulrahman was adjudged to have fouled Nawaf Al Abed in the box.

    Al Sahlawi converted the resulting penalty to leave the visitors deflated. The UAE next play Timor-Leste and Malaysia in a double-header in November and Ahmed said there is no need to panic. “Of course there is no way we are giving up,” he added.

    “We still have four games. We need to win all the games and Inshallah we will give a lot for the fans and the UAE to give them confidence.”

    The UAE close out the second round with two home games against Palestine and Saudi next March and the Al Ain defender has promised the Whites’ fans the final Group A game against the leaders will see a much-improved performance.

    “We will give them a better game, of course,” said Ahmed. “I don’t think we played very well but they played very well.

    “We feel very bad and all the players know in the future what we need. “We need to work very hard and give our best.” Khalid Essa, Ahmed’s team-mate at both club and international level, is also looking ahead.

    “It was a bad result. I have to say sorry for the people in the UAE and sorry to the president about this result,” said the 26-year-old goalkeeper.

    “We have 12 points and four games left and we will do what we need to go to the next round.”

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